Search form

France supports G5 Sahel armed forces

According to a source from the French Ministry of the Interior, France plans to increase its support to Senegal and the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad) to help them deal with security challenges. About EUR 42 million of financial assistance is planned for the 2017-22 period, half of which will be used to acquire new equipment. The focus will be on high-risk areas in countries situated in the crosshairs of terrorist attacks. France also highlighted its determination to strengthen its military co-operation with the police of Sahelian countries in order to facilitate better and more efficient special forces interventions in the event of a major terrorist attack. As part of Operation Barkhane, which was launched in August 2014, France aims to “help the G5 Sahel partners take ownership of the fight against armed terrorist groups (ATG) throughout the Sahel-Sahara region.” About 3 500 soldiers from the French Army are currently deployed on the ground.